JP3118215B2 - PC card - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a PC card inserted into a card slot of a personal computer, for example, to extend the functions of the personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a personal computer has a computer body having an arithmetic function, a storage function, etc., a keyboard for inputting signals to the computer body, and a floppy disk for storing a memory in the computer body. It is roughly composed of a device and a display for displaying programs, calculation results, and the like.

Further, a personal computer is provided with a card slot in which a PC card can be additionally inserted in order to expand a memory built in the computer main body, add a modem, and the like. Furthermore, the size and shape of this PC card are based on PC Card Standard and JEI.
It is specified by the standard of DA (Japan Electronic Machine Industry).

On the other hand, in order to increase the processing speed of personal computers, the amount of information for arithmetic processing is shifting from 16 bits to 32 bits, and the shape of a PC card is also one bit.
A 6-bit PC card and a 32-bit PC card are distinguished. Similarly, the card slot on the personal computer side is roughly divided into a 16-bit card slot and a 32-bit card slot.

[0005] In a personal computer, the drive voltage in the computer body is changed from 5.0 V to 3.3 V in order to reduce power consumption. For this reason, the drive voltage of a 16-bit PC card is usually 5.0 V, whereas the drive voltage of a 32-bit PC card is set to 3.3 V. Further, the driving voltage is increased from 5.0 V to 3.3 V.
In order to ensure the transmission and reception of signals between the PC card and the computer main body, the 32-bit PC card and the card slot are provided with a ground electrode for strengthening the ground connection.

Therefore, based on FIG. 13 to FIG.
A conventional PC card and card slot will be described.

First, a 16-bit PC card and a card slot will be described with reference to FIGS.

1 is a PC card applied to 16 bits (hereinafter referred to as a 16-bit PC card 1), and 2 is the PC card applied to 16 bits.
The casing 2 has the shape of a 6-bit PC card 1 and is formed in a thin plate shape. The casing 2 includes a thin frame 3 having open upper and lower positions, and upper and lower frames 3. Panels 4 and 4 which cover the opening at the position and have a rectangular bulge 4A are formed, and a substrate accommodation space 5 is formed inside. One end face of the casing 2 is opened as a connector mounting port 2A, and a card-side connector 10 described later is mounted on the connector mounting port 2A. Note that FIG.
The arrow A in the middle indicates the direction in which the PC card 1 is inserted.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a circuit board housed in a board housing space 5 formed in the casing 2.
Electronic components 7 constituting a memory, a modem, an I / O interface, and the like are mounted.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a card-side key groove formed on the left side of the PC card 1 in the insertion direction.
It is provided to distinguish it from the 2-bit PC card 16. Here, the card-side keyway 8 is formed by notching the upper surface of the frame 3 at the left side in the insertion direction of the side wall near the connector mounting opening 2A in the frame 3 of the casing 2. I have. And the card side keyway 8
Is the card-side keyway 21 of the 32-bit PC card 16.
It is formed with a groove width dimension d1 wider than that.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a guide groove. The guide groove 9 is located near the connector mounting opening 2A of the casing 2 and located on the right side in the insertion direction, and is formed by forming a groove in the side wall of the frame 3 in the insertion direction. I have. And the guide groove 9 is 16
The 16-bit PC card 1 is guided along the guide protrusion 15 of the bit card slot 11, and the groove width dimension is d0.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a connector mounting port 2A of the casing 2.
The card-side connector 10 closes an opening of the frame 3 constituting the casing 2. Also, the card-side connector 10 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 16, a long rectangular body 10A formed of a resin material, and a total of 68 longitudinally and 34 horizontally arranged from the front to the rear of the rectangular body 10A, for a total of 68 pieces Is formed in the pin hole 10B, and the pin hole 10B
And a terminal pin 10C connected to the circuit board 6 at the tip end.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The 16-bit card slot 11 includes a housing 12 having a card insertion hole 12A having a shape slightly larger than the outer dimensions of the 16-bit PC card 1, and a card insertion hole of the housing 12. This is roughly constituted by a slot-side connector 13 provided at the back of 12A.

Here, the slot side connector 13 is
As shown in FIG. 16, a rectangular body 13A formed of a resin material and having a connector insertion hole 13B into which the card side connector 10 is inserted through the card insertion hole 12A, and the rectangular body 13A. The connector pin 13C is located at the back of the connector insertion hole 13B formed in the vertical direction, and is composed of two connection pins vertically and 34 horizontally, and a total of 68 connection pins 13C protrudingly formed.

When the card-side connector 10 of the 16-bit PC card 1 is inserted into the connector insertion hole 13B of the slot-side connector 13, the tip of each connection pin 13C is connected to the terminal pin 10C located at the back of the pin hole 10B. Connected to.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a slot-side key groove formed on the left side in the insertion direction of the PC card.
As shown in FIG. 15, the rectangular body 13A of the slot-side connector 13 is formed by forming a groove in the side wall of the rectangular body 13A in the insertion direction, which is located on the left side in the insertion direction near the connector insertion hole 13B. ing. The slot-side keyway 14 is used for the frame 3 of the 16-bit PC card 1.
The groove width d1 'is slightly wider than the thickness obtained by subtracting the groove width d1 of the card-side keyway 8 from the thickness of the card groove 8.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a guide projection formed on the right side in the PC card insertion direction. As shown in FIG. 15, the guide projection 15 is located near the connector insertion hole 13B in the rectangular body 13A of the slot side connector 13. The side wall of the rectangular body 13A located on the right side in the insertion direction is formed by forming a groove in the insertion direction. And the guide projection 15 is
Groove width dimension d0 of guide groove 9 of 6-bit PC card 1
The thickness d0 'is slightly smaller than the thickness.

The 16-bit PC card 1 and the 16-bit card slot 11 configured as described above are used to insert the PC card 1 into the card slot 11.
Is inserted into the slot-side connector 13, the card-side key groove 8 is guided by the slot-side key groove 14, the guide groove 9 is guided by the guide projection 15, and the card-side connector 10 of the PC card 1 is connected to the connector of the card slot 11. It is inserted into the insertion hole 13B. In the 16-bit PC card 1, the card-side connector 10 is connected to the slot-side connector 13 of the card slot 11 as shown in FIG.

Next, a 32-bit PC card and a card slot will be described with reference to FIGS.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a PC card applied to 32 bits (hereinafter referred to as a 32-bit PC card 16).
The 32-bit PC card 16 has substantially the same configuration as the above-described 16-bit PC card 1, and includes a casing 17 described below for housing the circuit board 6 therein, and a casing 1.
7, a card-side connector 23 provided in the connector-mounting port 17A and a ground electrode 24 mounted on the card-side connector 23.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a casing used for the 32-bit PC card 16. The casing 17 has a thin frame 18 having upper and lower positions opened, and a lower and upper position of the frame 18. Panels 19, 19 each having an opening and having a rectangular bulging portion 19A are formed therein, and a substrate accommodation space 20 is formed therein. The casing 1
7 has a connector mounting opening 17A, and a laterally extending electrode plate housing groove 19 is formed in the connector mounting opening 17A side of the panel 19 located on the upper side among the panels 19 described above.
B is notched and formed. The arrow A in FIG.
Indicates the direction in which the PC card 16 is inserted.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a card-side key groove formed on the left side of the PC card 16 in the insertion direction.
To prevent the PC card 16 from being misplaced on the front and back, 1
It is provided to distinguish the PC card 1 from the 6-bit PC card. Here, the card-side keyway 21 is formed by notching the upper surface of the frame 18 in the frame 18 of the casing 17 on the left side in the insertion direction of the side wall near the connector mounting opening 17A. I have. The card-side keyway 21 has a groove width dimension d2 smaller than the card-side keyway 8 of the 16-bit PC card 1.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a guide groove. The guide groove 22 is located near the connector mounting opening 17A of the casing 17 and located on the right side in the insertion direction, and is formed by forming a groove in the side wall of the frame 18 in the insertion direction. I have. The guide groove 22 is provided with a guide protrusion 30 of a card slot 25 described later.
The PC card 16 for 32 bits is guided along the groove, and its groove width dimension is d0.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a connector mounting port 1 of the casing 17.
7A is a long card-side connector provided on the 7A.
The opening is closed. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the card-side connector 23 includes a rectangular body 23A formed of a resin material and an elongated shape, and the rectangular body 2A.
From the front surface to the rear surface of 3A, a pin hole 23B in which a total of 68 holes are formed in two arrangements vertically and 34 arrangements horizontally, a base end side is located at the back of each pin hole 23B, and a tip end side is rectangular. Shape 2
3A and terminal pins 23C protruding from the rear surface and connected to the circuit board 6.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a ground electrode mounted on a plane above the card-side connector 23.
Is formed of a conductive metal plate and has a rectangular shape 23A.
A plate-like electrode plate 24A extending along the upper plane of
A plurality (for example, eight) of ground terminals 24B provided on the electrode plate 24A and extending from the outer electrode plate 24A toward the circuit board 6 (the rear side of the card-side connector 23); And a plurality of (for example, eight) projections 24C provided. Each of the projections 2
4C is a receiving ground electrode 28 on the card slot 25 side.
And to strengthen the electrical connection.

The ground electrode 24 connects the circuit board 6 built in the 32-bit PC card 16 to the ground of the personal computer through the receiving ground electrode 28 to strengthen the ground connection. Thus, the ground electrode 24 is connected to the personal computer and P
The transmission and reception of signals with the C card 16 are ensured.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The 32-bit card slot 25 includes a housing 26 having a card insertion hole 26A having a shape slightly larger than the external dimensions of the 32-bit PC card 16, and a card insertion hole in the housing 26. 26A and is roughly constituted by a slot-side connector 27 provided at the back of 26A.

Here, the slot side connector 27 is
As shown in FIG. 21, a rectangular body 27A formed of a resin material and having a connector insertion hole 27B into which the card-side connector 23 is inserted through the card insertion hole 26A, and the rectangular body 27A. The connector pin 27C is located at the back of the connector insertion hole 27B formed at the bottom of the connector, and is composed of a total of 68 connection pins 27C protruding and formed in two vertically and 34 horizontally. When the card-side connector 23 is inserted into the connector insertion hole 27B of the slot-side connector 27, each connection pin 27C is connected to the terminal pin 23C located at the back of the pin hole 23B.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a receiving ground electrode formed above the connector insertion hole 27B.
As shown in FIG. 20 to FIG. 22, a plurality (for example, eight) of contact pieces 28A having a downward spring property is provided.
And each contact piece 28A of the receiving ground electrode 28
Inserts the 32-bit PC card 16 into the card insertion hole 26A.
When it is inserted into the inside, it comes into contact with each projection 24C of the ground electrode 24.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a slot-side key groove formed on the left side in the PC card insertion direction.
As shown in FIG. 20, the rectangular body 27A of the slot-side connector 27 is formed by forming a groove in the insertion direction in the vicinity of the connector insertion hole 27B, located on the left side in the insertion direction, in the insertion direction. ing. The slot-side key groove 29 is formed from the thickness of the frame 18 of the 32-bit PC card 16 by the groove width d 2 of the card-side key groove 21.
The groove width dimension d2 'is slightly wider than the dimension obtained by subtracting.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a guide projection formed on the right side in the PC card insertion direction. The guide projection 30 is located near the connector insertion hole 27B in the rectangular body 27A of the slot side connector 27 as shown in FIG. The side wall of the rectangular body 27A located on the right side in the insertion direction is formed by forming a groove in the insertion direction. And the guide projection 30 is 3
The thickness d0 'is slightly smaller than the groove width d0 of the guide groove 22 of the 2-bit PC card 16.

When the PC card 16 is inserted into the slot side connector 27 so that the PC card 16 can be inserted into the card slot 25, the card 32 and the 32-bit card slot 25 configured as described above can be used. The side key groove 21 is guided by the slot side key groove 29, the guide groove portion 22 is guided by the guide projection 30, and the card side connector 23 of the PC card 16 is replaced by the slot side connector 27.
Is inserted into. Then, the 32-bit PC card 16
As shown in FIG. 22, the card-side connector 23 is connected to the slot-side connector 27, and each projection 24C of the ground electrode 24 is connected to each contact piece 28A of the receiving ground electrode 28.

Here, the 16-bit PC cards 1 and 32
Comparing the shape with the bit PC card 16, the card-side key groove 8 of the 16-bit PC card 1 is formed wider than the card-side key groove 21 of the 32-bit PC card 16. For this reason, the 16-bit PC card 1
Although the 32-bit PC card 16 can be inserted into the 2-bit card slot 25, the 32-bit PC card 16 is caught by the slot-side key groove 14 of the 16-bit card slot 11 so that it cannot be inserted into the 16-bit card slot 11. .

[0034]

By the way, the card-side keyway 8 of the 16-bit PC card 1 and the card-side keyway 2 of the 32-bit PC card 16 according to the prior art described above.
1 is formed so that the groove width dimension is different, so that whether it is for 16 bits or 32 bits is identified,
As described above, the 32-bit PC card 16 cannot be inserted into the 16-bit card slot 11.

On the other hand, there is a demand from the user side for a PC card that uses both 16-bit and 32-bit PC cards. To meet this demand, a 16-bit PC card is used regardless of the shape of the card slot on the personal computer. It is necessary to provide a PC card that can be inserted into and removed from both the card slot 11 and the 32-bit card slot 25.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the present invention provides a PC card that is used for both high-bit and low-bit, and a card slot for both high-bit and low-bit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a PC card which is detachable from a PC card.

[0037]

According to the present invention, a PC card is formed by covering a frame-like body for accommodating a circuit board with an upper panel and a lower panel, and one end face is opened as a connector mounting port. And a rectangular body having a number of terminal holes connected to the circuit board and having a number of pin holes into which terminal pins of the personal computer are inserted. A connector mounted on the casing and a ground electrode which is mounted on the connector and located on one plane in the vertical direction of the connector and which connects the ground of the circuit board to the personal computer. It is in.

The first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that one of the upper and lower panels forming the casing is provided with a projection receiving hole at a position located above the connector mounting port. , A ground electrode having a flat plate-like electrode plate extending along one plane of the connector, the electrode plate protruding from each of the projection receiving holes of the panel, and being inserted into a card slot on the personal computer side. And a plurality of spring-like projections for providing the property.

With this configuration, when the ground electrode is inserted into a low bit card slot having a connector without a portion for receiving the ground electrode, the spring projection of the ground electrode comes into contact with the insertion hole of the card slot. The spring projection is deformed into the casing. In addition, when the card is pulled out of the card slot, the springy projection returns, so that the card can be inserted into a high-bit card slot having a portion for receiving a ground electrode. It can be used for both high bit.

Further, since the springy projection is projected from the projection accommodation hole of the upper panel, even if an unexpected lateral force is applied to the springy projection from outside, the projection accommodation hole prevents the springy projection from being damaged. However, the life of each springy projection can be extended.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of cut portions are formed in the electrode plate of the ground electrode by cutting three sides except one side opposite to the circuit board, and each springy projection is formed.
It is formed as a leaf spring with one side serving as a support end and a tongue piece surrounded by each cut portion being bent in the middle.

With this configuration, each springy projection has a leaf spring structure. When a PC card is inserted into a low-bit card slot, the spring of the ground electrode is inserted into the insertion hole of the card slot. The projections come into contact and deform, and when the PC card is removed from the card slot, the spring projections return by their leaf spring structure.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of each of the spring projections that protrudes from the projection receiving hole of the panel is formed in a curved cross section.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the end of the springy projection from being caught in the projection accommodation hole when the springy projection is displaced in the projection accommodation hole.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a receiving portion for receiving the free end of each springy projection is formed on the frame of the casing.

With this configuration, this PC
When the card is inserted into the card slot for the low bit, the spring projections of the ground electrode are pressed into contact with the insertion holes of the card slot, and the free ends of the spring projections are displaced into the casing. . At this time, the free end of each springy projection is received by the receiving portion of the frame-shaped body, thereby preventing the free end of each springy projection from contacting the terminal pin of the connector.

[0047]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the same components as those of the above-described related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Reference numeral 31 denotes 16 bits and 3 bits according to the present embodiment.
PC card capable of supporting both 2 bits, 32 is the PC card
The casing 32 is a thin plate-shaped casing that forms the outer shape of the card 31. The casing 32 covers a thin frame 33 having upper and lower openings and an upper opening of the frame 33, and has a rectangular shape. Upper panel 34 having a bulging portion 34A of
3 and cover the lower opening, and also have a rectangular bulge 35A.
And a lower panel 35 having a substrate housing space 36 formed therein.

Further, the substrate accommodation space 36 of the casing 32
The circuit board 6 is accommodated therein, and the electronic components 7 mounted on the circuit board 6 not only correspond to 32 bits using a driving voltage of 3.3 V, but also correspond to 1 bits using a driving voltage of 5.0 V.
Electronic component 7 set to correspond to both 6 bits
Is implemented, and a circuit is configured.

Here, one end face of the casing 32 is opened as a connector mounting port 32A.
A card-side connector 41 described later is attached to A. The arrow A in FIG. 1 indicates the direction in which the PC card 31 is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 33 includes a U-shaped frame 33A and a beam 33B connecting the front end of the frame 33A. The projection receiving portions 37, 37,... Described later are formed.

Are ground electrodes 4 to be described later.
Each of the projection receiving portions 37 is formed as eight recessed portions at predetermined intervals in the beam portion 33B of the frame 33. . When the frame 33 is formed of a resin material, each projection receiving portion 37 can be formed integrally with the frame 33.

Reference numerals 38, 38,... Denote a plurality of projection receiving holes formed in a portion of the upper panel 34 located on the side of the connector mounting port 32A. Each of the projection receiving holes 38 is formed in a rectangular shape. The spring protrusion 43 of the ground electrode 42 protrudes through each protrusion accommodating hole 38.

Reference numeral 39 denotes a card-side key groove formed on the left side of the PC card 31 in the insertion direction.
It is formed by notching the upper surface of the frame 33 at the left side in the insertion direction of the side wall near A. The card-side key groove 39 is formed to have the same groove width dimension d1 as the card-side key groove 8 of the 16-bit PC card 1.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a guide groove formed on the right side in the insertion direction of the PC card 31. The guide groove 40 is located on the right side in the insertion direction near the connector mounting port 32A in the frame 33 of the casing 32. The side wall of the body 33 is formed by forming a groove. And the guide groove 4
0 is formed to have the same groove width dimension d0 as the guide groove 22 of the 32-bit PC card 16.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a connector mounting port 3 of the casing 32.
The card-side connector 41 is a long card-side connector provided in 2A. The card-side connector 41 includes a rectangular body 41A formed of a resin material in a long shape, and a rectangular body 41A vertically extending from the front surface to the rear surface of the rectangular body 41A. And a pin hole 41B in which a total of 68 pins are formed in a horizontal arrangement of 34 pins, a base end side is located at the back of each pin hole 41B, and a tip end side protrudes from the rear surface of the rectangular body 41A. And terminal pins 41C connected to the terminal.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a ground electrode attached to the upper surface of the card-side connector 41.
As shown in FIG. 7, a flat electrode plate 42A formed of a conductive metal plate and extending along the upper surface of the card-side connector 41 is provided on the electrode plate 42A. Except for a plurality (for example, eight) of ground terminals 42B extending toward the ground on the sixth side and one side of the electrode plate 42A opposite to the ground terminals 42B, that is, one side opposite to the circuit board 6 A plurality of (for example, eight) cut portions 42C formed by cutting the three sides, and the support end is located on the front side in the insertion direction by the cut portions 42C, and the free end extends toward the rear side in the insertion direction. A plurality of (for example, eight) tongue pieces 42D and mounting pieces 4 formed on the left and right at an acute angle with respect to the electrode plate 42A.
2E, and each of the tongue pieces 42D is formed as a resilient projection 43 described later by bending a length direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, each mounting piece 42E is formed at an acute angle with respect to the electrode plate 42A and has resiliency, so that when the PC card 31 is assembled, the ground electrode 42 is attached to the card. Rectangular body 41A of side connector 41
There is no shift in the left and right directions, and it can be easily and accurately mounted.

Reference numerals 43, 43,... Denote, for example, eight plate-like spring projections formed on the electrode plate 42A of the ground electrode 42. Each of the spring projections 43 is, as shown in FIG. The tongue piece 42D formed on the electrode plate 42A is bent into a substantially elliptical shape, and the bent portion becomes a projection 43A. The projection 43A is formed in a projection accommodation hole formed in the upper panel 34. It protrudes upward from 38.

The tip of each tongue piece 42D, that is, the tip 43B of the spring projection 43 is a free end, and the upper panel 3
4 (see FIG. 3), and when the spring protrusion 43 is pressed from above by an external force, the tip 43B of the spring protrusion 43 is received by the protrusion receiving portion 37 of the beam portion 33B. (See FIG. 11).

Further, each of the spring protrusions 43 is shown in FIGS.
Since the cross section near the protrusion 43A is formed in an arc shape as shown in FIG. 4, burrs and the like generated when forming the notch 42C in the electrode plate 42A can be directed to the inside of the spring protrusion 43. The projection accommodation hole 3 of the spring projection 43
The end near the protrusion 43A protruding from the hole 8 is a protrusion accommodation hole 38.
To prevent it from getting caught in

As described above, since each springy projection 43 is formed so that the plate-like tongue piece 42D is bent so that a peak is formed on the upper side, the springy projection 43 has the protrusion 43A on the upper side. , The tip 43 </ b> B is deformed toward the inside of the casing 32, providing springiness.

The PC card 31 according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration.
Regarding the case of mounting in the bit card slot 25,
This will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, when inserting the card side connector 41 into the slot side connector 27, the card side key groove 39 is guided by the slot side key groove 29,
The guide groove 40 is guided by the guide protrusion 30.

As shown in FIG. 8, each of the spring projections 43 formed on the ground electrode 42 has a contact piece 28 of the receiving ground electrode 28 on the 32-bit card slot 25 side.
A is established. In addition, since the springy projection 43 imparts springiness, the electrical connection strength is increased in accordance with the spring force of the contact piece 28A to improve the contact.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
The case where the card 31 is inserted into the 16-bit card slot 11 will be described. That is, the PC card 31 is
Slot side connector 13 of bit card slot 11
, The card-side key groove 39 is guided by the slot-side key groove 14, and the guide groove 40 is guided by the guide protrusion 15.

Further, the card-side connector 41 of the PC card 31 is connected to the connector insertion hole 1 of the slot-side connector 13.
3B, each spring projection 43 formed on the ground electrode 42 has a projection 43 as shown in FIG.
When A is pressed by the connector insertion hole 13B, the distal end 43B is displaced toward the inside of the casing 32 and is received by the projection receiving portion 37. Thus, the PC card 31 can be mounted without damaging the 16-bit card slot 11.

The PC card 31 can be inserted into the 16-bit card slot 11 without damaging the card insertion hole 12A of the 16-bit card slot 11, the connector insertion hole 13B of the slot-side connector 13, and the like. In addition, after the PC card 31 is removed, the respective spring protrusions 43 return by the spring force, so that they can be inserted into the normal 32-bit card slot 25 as described above.

As a result, the PC card 31 has the card slot 11 for 16 bits and the card slot 2 for 32 bits.
5 can be detachable, and can be used for both 16-bit and 32-bit. And the PC
The use range of the card 31 can be expanded.

The projection 43A of each springy projection 43 is
The PC card 31 is projected upward from the projection accommodating hole 38 of the upper panel 34 and the tip end 43B is extended above the projection receiving portion 37.
11, the tip 43B of the resilient projection 43 is received by the projection receiving portion 37, so that the tip 43B contacts the terminal pin 41C of the card-side connector 41 as shown in FIG. This can prevent the PC card 31 from increasing its reliability.

The PC card 31 is inserted into the card slot 1
1, the spring projection 43 returns by spring force, and the tip 43B is urged to the lower side of the upper panel 34,
It restricts the tip 43B from turning up to the outside. Further, the distal end 43B of each springy projection 43 has an arc-shaped cross section, so that when the springy projection 43 is displaced, its end can be prevented from being caught in the projection accommodation hole 38.

Further, each projection accommodating hole 38 surrounds the periphery of the spring projection 43, and external force is applied to the spring projection 43.
, The spring projections 43 can be prevented from being bent and damaged, and the life of each spring projection 43 can be extended.

On the other hand, when assembling the PC card 31,
As shown in FIG. 2, the ground electrode 42 is attached to each mounting piece 42E.
Therefore, the work of soldering each ground terminal 42B of the ground electrode 42 to the circuit board 6 can be easily performed, and the assembling work can be easily performed. Efficiency can be improved.

Although the embodiment has been described assuming that the resilient projection 43 is formed as a substantially U-shaped projection 43A, the present invention is replaced with this, as in a modification shown in FIG. By bending the tongue piece surrounded by each notch into an arc shape, the arc portion becomes a projection 43A 'and a tip 43B'.
May be formed as a springy projection 43 ′ extending on the projection receiving portion 37.

In the embodiment, the ground electrode 42
The case where the number of the ground terminals 42B extending from the electrode plate 42A toward the circuit board 6 is, for example, eight has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The number may be 2, 7, or 9 or more, as long as it corresponds to the wiring of the circuit board 6.

In the embodiment, the cross section of the spring projection 43 is formed in an arc shape. Alternatively, the end of the spring projection may be bent inward to change the cross section of the spring projection. It may be curved. Further, the cross section of the spring projection 43 may be flat and flat.

In the embodiment, the PC card of the 32-bit or 16-bit standard has been described. However, for example, a PC card of the 64-bit or 128-bit standard is used for the 16-bit card connector. It is not limited to the standard according to the embodiment.

Further, there is a personal computer provided with a special card slot having a driving voltage of 3.3 V and 16 bits, and the same effect can be obtained with such a personal computer.

[0078]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a casing located above the connector mounting opening is formed, and a projection accommodation hole is formed in one of the lower panels. The ground electrode is formed with a resilient projection projecting from each of the projection receiving holes. For example, when a PC card is mounted on a low-bit card slot having no portion for receiving the ground electrode, the resilient projection is formed. By displacing the projection toward the casing, the PC card can be mounted on the card throttle.

Further, when the PC card is pulled out from the card slot, the springy projection returns, so that this PC
The card can be used not only for a card slot for a high bit having an electrode for receiving a ground electrode, but also for a card throttle for a low bit without an electrode for receiving a ground electrode, The use range of the PC card can be expanded.

Further, since the springy projections are projected from the projection accommodation holes formed in the one side panel, even if an unexpected lateral force is applied to the springy projections from the outside, the spring accommodation projections are used. Damage to the projections can be prevented, the life of each springy projection can be extended, and reliability can be increased.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of cut portions are formed in the electrode plate of the ground electrode by cutting three sides except one side opposite to the circuit board to support each springy projection on one side. Since the leaf springs are formed by bending the middle of the tongue piece surrounded by the notch as an end, each springy projection is formed with a leaf spring structure, and the PC card is inserted into the low bit card slot. Then, the projection of the spring projection of the ground electrode comes into contact with the insertion hole of the card slot, and the spring projection is attached to the card slot in a deformed state.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of each of the spring projections that protrudes from the projection accommodation hole of the panel is formed in a curved cross section, so that when the spring projection is displaced in the projection accommodation hole. In addition, it is possible to prevent the end portion from being caught in the projection accommodating hole, and to extend the life of the springy projection.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when each springy projection is deformed, the receiving portion on which the free end of the springy projection is received,
When the PC card is inserted into the low-bit card slot, the free ends of the springy projections are received by the receiving portions of the frame-like body, respectively. Can reliably prevent the free end of the connector from coming into contact with the terminal pin of the connector, thereby improving electrical reliability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a PC card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a frame, an upper panel, a lower panel, a card-side connector, and a ground electrode constituting the PC card according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial vertical sectional view showing an insertion side of a PC card according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a ground electrode used in the PC card according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view as seen from a direction indicated by arrows VV in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a springy projection in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the spring projection as viewed from the direction of arrows VII-VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state before a PC card according to the embodiment is inserted into a slot-side connector of a 32-bit card slot.

FIG. 9 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the PC card according to the embodiment is inserted into a slot-side connector of a 32-bit card slot.

FIG. 10 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state before a PC card according to the embodiment is inserted into a slot-side connector of a 16-bit card slot.

FIG. 11 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the PC card according to the embodiment is inserted into a slot-side connector of a 16-bit card slot.

FIG. 12 is a partial vertical sectional view showing a PC card insertion side according to a modification.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a conventional 16-bit PC card.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the 16-bit PC card viewed from the connector mounting port side.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the 16-bit card slot as viewed from the insertion side.

FIG. 16 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state before a conventional 16-bit PC card is inserted into a slot-side connector of a 16-bit card slot.

FIG. 17 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a conventional 16-bit PC card is inserted into a slot-side connector of a 16-bit card slot.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a conventional 32-bit PC card.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the 32-bit PC card viewed from the connector mounting port side.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the 32-bit card slot as viewed from the insertion side.

FIG. 21 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state before a conventional 32-bit PC card is inserted into a slot-side connector of a 32-bit card slot.

FIG. 22 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a 32-bit PC card according to the prior art is inserted into a slot-side connector of a 32-bit card slot.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 Circuit board 11 16-bit card slot 25 32-bit card slot 31 PC card 32 Casing 32A Connector mounting opening 33 Frame 34 Upper panel 35 Lower panel 37 Projection receiving part 38 Projection receiving hole 41 Card side connector 41A Rectangular shape Body 41C Terminal pin 42 Ground electrode 42A Electrode plate 42B Ground terminal 42C Cut portion 42D Tongue piece 43, 43 'Spring protrusion 43A, 43A' Projection 43B, 43B 'Tip (free end)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page Examiner Yasushi Kiyoki (56) References JP-A-9-58163 (JP, A) US Patent 5,307,242 (US, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) ) G06F 3/00 G06K 17/00 G06K 19/00-19/077

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A frame-like body for housing a circuit board is provided on an upper panel,
A casing formed by covering with a lower panel, one end face of which is open as a connector mounting port, a large number of terminal pins having a large number of terminal pins connected to the circuit board, and having terminal pins on the personal computer side inserted therein. A connector that is attached to the casing at a connector mounting opening of the casing, and is attached to the connector at one of the vertical planes of the connector. And a ground electrode connecting the ground of the circuit board to the personal computer.
In the C card, a projection receiving hole is formed in one of the upper and lower panels forming the casing at a position located at the connector mounting port, and the ground electrode is provided on one plane of the connector. And a plurality of resilient projections projecting from the respective projection receiving holes of the panel and providing resilience when inserted into a card slot of the personal computer. A PC card, wherein the PC card is provided. 2. A plurality of cuts are formed in an electrode plate of the ground electrode by cutting three sides except one side opposite to the circuit board, and each of the springy projections has one side. The PC according to claim 1, wherein the PC is formed as a leaf spring formed by bending a middle of a tongue piece surrounded by each notch as a support end.
card. 3. The PC card according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each of the spring protrusions that protrudes from the protrusion receiving hole of the panel is formed in a curved cross section. 4. The PC card according to claim 1, wherein a receiving portion for receiving a free end of each springy projection is formed in the frame of the casing.